Melodrama: is a dramatic theatrical style based on "hyperbolic" techniques, where it is evident that characters' and plot are exaggerated in order to connect with the audience and convey the emotions of the play.
The term originated from the early 19th-century French word mélodrame, which in turn is derived from Greek melos (music) and French drame (drama). Does this mean that this is an early form of musical theater?
This recognized style in dramas in the 18th & 19th centuries; we can connect this theatrical style to the "soap novels" referred to as telenovelas in spanish, which are overly-dramatic.
Classic Melodramas always have evil villains, beautiful heroines, and handsome heroes which regularly end-up with the woman figure of the play/story. Normally, an orchestra will be used to enhance scenes and "intensify" the mood.
Melodrama in Film:
Melodramatic films are usually drama films, characterized by a plot to appeal to the heightened emotions of the audience. They
generally depend on typical character development, interactions, and highly emotional themes. Melodramatic films tend to use plots
that often deal with crises of human emotion, failed romance or friendship, strained familial situations, tragedy, illness, or emotional and
physical hardship.
A good example I can think of is: The (2003) Drama “Radio”, the story of a mentally-challenged African-American which becomes an
inspiration to his community after many of the hardships he faces while attending a regular high-school.
- The term originated from the early 19th-century French word mélodrame, which in turn is derived from Greek melos (music) and French drame (drama). Does this mean that this is an early form of musical theater?
Melodrama in Film:
Melodramatic films are usually drama films, characterized by a plot to appeal to the heightened emotions of the audience. They
generally depend on typical character development, interactions, and highly emotional themes. Melodramatic films tend to use plots
that often deal with crises of human emotion, failed romance or friendship, strained familial situations, tragedy, illness, or emotional and
physical hardship.
A good example I can think of is: The (2003) Drama “Radio”, the story of a mentally-challenged African-American which becomes an
inspiration to his community after many of the hardships he faces while attending a regular high-school.
Bibliography:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melodrama
http://www.thecinemasource.com/moviesdb/images/radio-movie%2520Poster.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.thecinemasource.com/blog/movies/radio/attachment/radio-movie-poster/&usg=__BqhWogw_qGgzrQrW1N15UcFucyE=&h=450&w=303&sz=33&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=FwVeSdJoudQj8M:&tbnh=131&tbnw=88&ei=2mDRTYioGcqCgAfIqNHVDA&prev=/search%3Fq%3DRadio%2Bmovie%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D544%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=489&page=1&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0&tx=73&ty=64
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Melodrama